A trainer aircraft operated by Red Bird Aviation crash-landed in Karnataka’s Vijayapura district on Sunday, leaving both the pilot and a trainee pilot injured. The incident took place in the Babaleshwar area when the aircraft came down in an agricultural field during its scheduled training flight.
According to police officials, the aircraft had two people on board at the time of the incident — Captain Kunal Malhotra, who was piloting the aircraft, and trainee pilot Goutham Sankar. Local residents who witnessed the crash quickly rushed to the spot and assisted in rescue efforts. Eyewitnesses reported seeing the trainee lying near the aircraft while the pilot, though injured, was able to stand and communicate with locals until emergency teams arrived.
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Superintendent of Police Laxman B. Nimbargi said preliminary information indicates that both individuals survived the crash and were immediately shifted to a nearby hospital in a 108 ambulance for medical treatment. Authorities confirmed that the aircraft had been flying from Kalaburagi to Belagavi when the emergency landing occurred.
Police personnel from Babaleshwar Police Station reached the crash site shortly after the incident and secured the area. A preliminary investigation has been initiated to determine the exact cause of the crash landing. Officials stated that technical failure, weather conditions, or other operational factors will be examined as part of the inquiry. Further details are expected once aviation authorities complete their assessment.
